Suspected Herders Kill 2 Farmers In Benue

Armed men suspected to be marauding herdsmen have reportedly killed two farmers in separate attacks in communities of Gwer West local government area of Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered from a local source in the area and who do not want his name in print, that the two victims were murdered by the herdsmen along the road leading to the local government headquarters.

According to him, “One of the victims was murdered on Wednesday at Atukpu Village, a kilometre away from the headquarters, while the other victim was killed along Naka-Adoka Road on the same day.

“As I speak to you, the herders have taken over the Makurdi-Naka Road which is now deserted by motorists and commuters for fear of attack”, adding that the corpses of the two victims were recovered by motorcycle riders popularly called ‘Okada.’

When contacted, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that one of the victims was killed on Taraku-Naka Road while trying to get roofing materials for his house.

He said the other person was murdered along the Adoka-Naka axis, while noting that killings are becoming a daily occurrence in the area.

While expressing concern over the unprovoked killings in the area by the marauding herdsmen, Ormin also lamented that the current security deployed to the LG are overstretched, despite the efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia to stop insecurity in the state.

LEADERSHIP recalls that few weeks ago, killings by herdsmen triggered a violent protest by angry youths in the area who set properties of prominent people in the area, including the local government secretariat and the palace of the paramount ruler in the area ablaze.

Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, Catherine Anene proved abortive as her number was said to be switched off as at the time of filing this report.